Tawonna “Wonnie” Lynn Anthony, an advocate for breast cancer survivors across Oakland County, lost her own battle with the disease on Sunday.

She was 32.

Anthony, who lived in Pontiac, was diagnosed with breast cancer in October 2011, and fought it publicly through social media, blogging and delivering speeches at churches, schools and community forums.

Terri Covington was considered her godmother. She became a mentor to Anthony while she attended Pontiac Central High School, where Covington was working as a police officer.

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“(Tawonna) was an athlete, real competitive, loved practical jokes, and she always had a smile on her face,” Covington said.

Her sister, Tammy Anthony, and cousin Jerry Allen described Tawonna as outgoing, loving, compassionate and someone who loved kids.

Covington said she has been there for her ever since, and has seen Tawonna through college, the birth of her son Miles and the cancer.

Tawonna loved children. She graduated from college with a degree in education and worked as a teacher.

She also worked as a basketball coach and referee.

Tawonna was a mother to a 2-year-old child, and now his father is going to begin raising him alone.

“When she found out she had breast cancer, she made it up in her mind she was going to be the mind and the face (of advocacy),” Covington said. “She fought so hard, and even during that fight, she put the jokes in. When the doctors told her she only had three months left, she said ‘They aren’t my God, how do they know?’ ”

Covington said she knows there is a rally behind Miles that will ensure he is raised in the way Anthony would have wanted.

Anthony told her story until she no longer could, which got many people emotionally connected.

“It’s different when you hear others talk about breast cancer, or when you’re doing a walk ... you don’t know how it really impacts (until you see it),” Covington said. “She just opened a whole new thing for all of us. ... She would text, blog, Facebook ... even if they didn’t know her, they were all rooting for her and praying for her.”

She was always very open about the cancer, and would even allow people to see her mastectomy scars if they asked.

An event called “Testimonies in Pink: Fight Chronicles” was created by Anthony. It helped raise money for women with breast cancer.

She gathered survivors and created a calendar to sell to also raise money for the cause.

Covington hopes that Anthony’s legacy will live on — especially when it comes to fighting against breast cancer.

A viewing will be from 4 to 8 p.m., Friday at Sparks-Griffin Funeral Home at 46 Williams St. in Pontiac. A home-going celebration will take place at 11 a.m. Saturday in the Pontiac High School gymnasium at 1051 Arlene Ave. in Pontiac.

Those who wish to attend should not wear dark colors, as requested by Anthony herself. She requested a celebration, not a funeral.

“She was just a bright person,” Covington said.

FYI

An education trust is in the process of being set up for Tawonna Anthony’s son, Miles. Tawonna’s Facebook page,www.facebook.com/tawonna.anthony, will continue to be updated with information.

Contact Megan Semeraz at 248-745-4628 or email Megan.Semeraz@oakpress.com or follow her on Twitter @MeganSemeraz.